der  Anteilseigner

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈanˌtaɪlˌzaɪɡnɐ/

📊 What does 'der Anteilseigner' mean?

Der Anteilseigner (masculine noun) refers to a person or organization that owns one or more Anteile (shares) in a company, especially a public limited company (Aktiengesellschaft, AG) or a limited liability company (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung, GmbH). By owning these shares, the Anteilseigner is a co-owner (Eigner) of the company and usually has certain rights, such as voting rights at the general meeting or entitlement to a part of the profit (Dividende).

It's a term from the world of business and finance.

🚨 Important: The feminine form is die Anteilseignerin.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Anteilseigner

The noun „der Anteilseigner“ is masculine and follows the schwache Deklination (weak declension or n-declension). This means it takes the ending -n in all cases except the nominative singular.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Anteilseigner stimmte auf der Hauptversammlung ab.
   (The shareholder voted at the general meeting.)
2. Die Rechte des Anteilseigners sind im Aktiengesetz festgelegt.
   (The rights of the shareholder are defined in the Stock Corporation Act.)
3. Das Unternehmen informierte den Anteilseigner über die Quartalsergebnisse.
   (The company informed the shareholder about the quarterly results.)
4. Alle Anteilseigner erhielten eine Einladung zur Veranstaltung.
   (All shareholders received an invitation to the event.)
5. Die Dividende wird an die Anteilseigner ausgeschüttet.
   (The dividend is distributed to the shareholders.)

💡 Usage and Context

The term Anteilseigner is primarily used in economic and legal contexts when discussing ownership of company shares.

• Companies: When talking about owners of an AG (public limited company) or GmbH (limited liability company), „Anteilseigner“ is the correct term. For public limited companies, „Aktionär“ is also common.
• Financial News: The word frequently appears in reports about stock markets, company takeovers, or general meetings.
• Law: In contracts, statutes, and laws governing corporate forms and ownership structures, „Anteilseigner“ is a key term.

Comparison:

• Aktionär: Specifically a shareholder of a public limited company (AG). Often used synonymously, but „Anteilseigner“ is the more general term.
• Gesellschafter: A more general term for a co-owner of a company (e.g., also of a partnership like GbR or OHG). Every Aktionär is a Gesellschafter (of the AG), but not every Gesellschafter is an Aktionär.
• Investor: Someone who invests money, not necessarily by buying shares (could also be bonds, real estate, etc.).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of a share owner as a significant male figure, maybe 'DER Boss' owning a part. 'Eigner' (owner) is masculine, so der Anteilseigner. He owns an 'Anteil' (share).

Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: Anteil (share, portion) + Eigner (owner). An Anteilseigner is simply an 'owner of a share'.

🔄 Synonyms & Similar Concepts

Similar but Different Terms:

• Stakeholder: Anyone with an interest in the company (can also be employees, customers, suppliers, not just owners).
• Anleihezeichner: Bondholder; buys bonds (debt), becomes a creditor, not a co-owner.

😄 Time for a Chuckle

Fragt ein Anteilseigner den anderen: „Sag mal, schläfst du eigentlich gut bei den aktuellen Kursen?“

Antwortet der andere: „Ich schlafe wie ein Baby! Ich wache jede Stunde auf und weine.“

--- Translation ---

One shareholder asks another: "Tell me, are you sleeping well with the current stock prices?"

The other replies: "I sleep like a baby! I wake up every hour and cry."

📜 A Little Poem

Der Anteilseigner, klug und fein,
kauft Aktien, groß und klein.
Er hofft auf Kurse, die steigen,
und Dividenden, die sich zeigen.
Mal Freud', mal Leid, das Börsenspiel,
als Eigner hat er stets ein Ziel:
Dass seine Firma prosperiert,
und sein Anteil sich vermehrt.

--- Translation ---

The shareholder, clever and fine,
Buys stocks, both large and tiny line.
He hopes for prices that will rise,
And dividends before his eyes.
Sometimes joy, sometimes the market's strife,
As owner, he has one aim in life:
That his company prospers well,
And his own share begins to swell.

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich besitze einen Teil, doch nicht das Ganze,
habe Stimmrecht bei der Firmentanze.
Ich hoffe auf Gewinn am Jahresende,
und halte Aktien in der Hände.

Wer bin ich? ... Der Anteilseigner

--- Translation ---

I own a part, but not the whole,
Have voting rights, play a company role.
I hope for profit when the year does cease,
And hold stocks that bring me peace (or unease).

Who am I?
... The Shareholder (Der Anteilseigner)

🧩 More Information

Word Composition:

The word „Anteilseigner“ is a compound noun, composed of:

• Anteil: A share or portion of a whole, here a part of the company's capital.
• Eigner: An older or more formal term for „Besitzer“ (owner) or „Eigentümer“ (proprietor).

International: In English, „Anteilseigner“ usually corresponds to 'shareholder' or 'stockholder'.